It wasn’t a shock because the 6-foot-1, 185-pound defensive back is from Spanish Fort (Ala.). Alabama’s interest in Cook picked up late, and the Tide offered him after an all-star game this week. He made it known that an offer from Alabama or Auburn would easily sway him to stay closer to home.

“I’m very proud of him,” Spanish Fort coach Mark Freeman told The Huntsville Times. “I am a big fan of Johnny Cook. He’s worked hard since we’ve been here. Alabama is getting a great player and a great person. I’m going to support him whatever he does in life.”

Several recruiting services list Cook as a four-star prospect. He is Alabama’s 20th commitment, and first pickup since late September.

Cook wasn’t the only player who made a commitment to the Crimson Tide over the weekend.

Luke Del Rio, the son of former NFL head coach and current Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, has BCS scholarship offers to Oklahoma State and Oregon State, but this weekend the quarterback announced on Twitter that he’ll walk on at Alabama instead.

Del Rio was previously committed to Oklahoma State, but when Cowboys assistant coach Todd Monken left the school to become the head coach at Southern Miss, the younger Del Rio decided to give Alabama a try instead. He is out of Valor Christian High School in Denver.